I vividly remember sitting “criss-cross applesauce” on the carpet, watching my Sunday school teacher move the paper image of little David across the flannel board to rest next to his paper sheep as she read 1 Samuel 16:7 to the class, “‘The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (NIV).

I believed it then, but it wasn’t until just this morning, as I finished my 100th day of listening to the Bible in chronological order, that I think I’m starting to understand the power of this concept more clearly. 

The Old Testament biblical heroes Abraham, Moses, and David who once graced my Sunday school flannel board made several bad choices. Even after God had worked amazing miracles (giving an old man a child, delivering the Israelites from slavery, and giving a small boy victory over a giant), they chose poorly. 

But despite their flaws, God saw hearts filled with potential—potential even they were unaware they possessed. He developed their trusting, brave, and passionate hearts and used these heroes to father, deliver, and lead the Israelite nation. 

How did He develop these ordinary guys into the heroes we admire today? 

1. He directed people and used situations to guide their hearts toward the potential He recognized in them, strengthening their hearts and preparing them for their future callings. 
2. He revealed standards and principles that lead them toward holiness. 
3. By developing a close relationship with them, He shaped their character and transformed them into His image. 
4. He called them to take action, giving them opportunities to impact the world through His power.

As I reflected on the importance God places on our hearts, what He saw in these men, and how He prepared each of them to fulfill their potential, I began to wonder how educators might apply these insights to our teaching roles. 

While test scores, student behavior, and other feedback appropriately come into play as we plan to guide our interactions with students and lessons, we could follow God’s example by looking beyond outward appearances and considering our students’ hearts as well. 

1. We could use our instruction time and our students’ interactions with each other to guide their hearts toward their potential. 
2. By incorporating and emphasizing Christlike character traits and healthy habits, we could influence our students’ hearts. 
3. We could intentionally develop rapport with each student and strive to mentor them effectively. 
4. Offering them new opportunities to serve their communities in change-enacting ways could allow our students to experience the joy of serving and see glimpses of the impact they could have on the world. 

God looked at the heart conditions of those men whose images stuck to that flannel board when I was a child. They all failed, just like we do, and just like our students will. But, with God’s help, we can focus on the hearts of our students and encourage them to grow into their potential just as God sees past our outward appearances and brings the undeveloped possibilities He sees in us to fruition. Dear educators, let us allow Him to use us mightily as we teach to our students’ hearts.